Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 194.2	$ 229.5	$ 135.1
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	206.1	126.9	120.5
Non-cash asset impairment charges	7.8	8.3	20.8
Non-cash pension settlement charges	0.0	1.3	27.1
Gain on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net	(13.9)	(5.6)	(0.4)
(Gain) loss on disposals of businesses, net	3.7	(0.8)	1.7
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss	3.0	(0.7)	4.6
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	2.1	(44.8)	2.3
Transition tax (benefit) expense	(0.8)	52.8	0.0
Debt extinguishment charges	14.0	0.0	0.0
Other, net	4.2	(2.8)	1.2
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	55.1	(34.0)	(47.3)
Inventories	33.9	(24.8)	(7.0)
Deferred purchase price on sold receivables	(6.9)	2.1	5.1
Accounts payable	(69.9)	24.3	20.5
Restructuring reserves	6.7	(0.8)	(5.3)
Pension and post-retirement benefit liabilities	(15.3)	(66.8)	(1.7)
Other, net	(34.5)	(11.1)	27.8
Net cash provided by operating activities	389.5	253.0	305.0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired	(1,857.9)	0.0	0.0
Purchases of properties, plants and equipment	(156.8)	(140.2)	(96.8)
Purchases of and investments in timber properties	(5.4)	(8.9)	(9.5)
Proceeds from the sale of properties, plants, equipment and other assets	28.7	12.5	9.6
Proceeds from the sale of businesses	1.5	1.4	5.9
Proceeds on insurance recoveries	0.6	0.0	0.4
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,989.3)	(135.2)	(90.4)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	3,732.3	1,020.7	1,446.0
Payments on long-term debt	(2,075.6)	(1,065.4)	(1,627.9)
Proceeds (payments) on short-term borrowings, net	2.2	(11.0)	(36.4)
Proceeds from trade accounts receivable credit facility	181.4	2.8	203.6
Payments on trade accounts receivable credit facility	(89.2)	(2.8)	(53.6)
Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders	(104.0)	(100.0)	(98.6)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(9.2)	(4.6)	(4.2)
Payments for debt extinguishment and issuance costs	(44.1)	0.0	(4.5)
Purchases of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(11.9)	0.0	0.0
Cash contribution from noncontrolling interest holder	1.6	2.0	0.0
Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities	1,583.5	(158.3)	(175.6)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(0.6)	(7.6)	(0.4)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(16.9)	(48.1)	38.6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	94.2	142.3	103.7
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	77.3	94.2	142.3
Non-cash transactions:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	18.6	11.4	12.5
Schedule of interest and income taxes paid:
Cash payments for interest expense	161.8	58.3	76.2
Cash payments for taxes	$ 71.4	$ 65.2	$ 53.4